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THe point here to be consider∣ed, is, That God is unchange∣able. The Apostle proveth this. Jam. 1. 17. Saying, that with God there is no variableness nor shadow of turn∣ing; there he shews that God is the most indificient and unchangeable fountain and giver of every good thing; he is still the same in the com∣munication of his goodness: God is good, and hath done good, and ma∣nifested his bounty to men in all ge∣nerations
that are past; he is still as good and bountifull, and doth do good, especially to such as are upright in heart; he is always the same, there is no variableness, no diminution, yea, there is not so much as a shaddow of change in him: far more free from any ap∣pearance of change, than the sun from darknesse, or shaddow of dark∣nesse: Heaven, Earth all creatures are liable to change they shall all be turned in and out, but God is the same Psalm. 102. 26, 27, 28. Thou art God from Eternity to Eternity. Psalm. 90. 2. So that phrase, I AM THAT I AM, shew∣eth the unchangeablenesse of God.
In the prosecution of this, I will shew, what God's unchangeable∣nesse is; wherein he is unchange∣able, the reasons of the point••, and answer some questions or objecti∣ons, which seem to make against his unchangeablenesse, then make use of it
To be absolutely and simply un∣changeable, requireth these Properties.
1. There must be no beginning: For all beginnings argue a change from a not being to a being; as when a creature is created, there is a change from a not being to a being: So in ge∣neration, that which was not a child, becomes a child; so in alteration: Now the Lord hath no beginning of his being, he is from everlasting.
2. There must be no dissolution, corruption, or alteration: Creatures are therefore changeable, because the most noble of all are liable to an∣nihilation. God can turn Angels into nothing, the sons of men into destru∣ction; heaven and earth shall wax old like a garment: but now there can be no dissolution, corruption, or anni∣hilation in God; Thou art God to ever∣lasting.
3. There must be no addition, nor diminution, nor increase, nor decrease; as we see in all creatures, they may be more perfect then they are; they that
are glorified, may and do increase in knowledge. Creatures may become also less then they are, as among the Angels, some of glorious Angels be∣came ugly Devils; of happy Angels, miserable Devils; of pure Angels, unclean Spirits. So men may decrease and increase in knowledge and wis∣dome, in all excellencies inward and outward: Righteous man is now be∣come sinful; he that knew much, is be∣come ignorant. So all Creatures are liable to alteration, either to become better or worse. But God is so per∣fect, that he cannot be better or worse than he is; so good, that he cannot be better; so wise, that he cannot be more wise; so holy, that he cannot be more holy; he cannot increase in wis∣dome and holiness, &c. And though the Lord deriveth and communicateth his bounty and goodness to the Crea∣tures, yet there is no diminution of it: we see many thousand Stars derive their light from the Sun, yet the light of the Sun is no way diminished.
Observ.